In this year’s Stanley Cup Final, the home team has yet to lose, something the Pittsburgh Penguins were hoping to keep going headed into Thursday night’s Game 5 at PPG Paints Arena.

The Penguins took both of the first two games of the series at home before it shifted to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, where the Predators rebounded to even the series with two wins on home ice of their own.

Although that advantage seems to magnified for Nashville, who have created an atmosphere both inside and outside of the arena never before seen in a Cup Final, fans have certainly been vocal in their support of the Penguins while in Pittsburgh as well.

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“Well, I think our guys are excited to play for a lot of reasons, but certainly we find a comfort level at home,” head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters prior to Game 5.

“I think our fan base is one of the big reasons why they’re so supportive of our group. I know our whole team, our whole organization are so appreciative of the fan support that we get, and I think that has a lot to do with the success that we’ve enjoyed here at home this season.”

But is there something actually to it? Fans don’t win games, players do. Home-ice advantage also provides that team’s head coach with the last change prior to a faceoff, which allows for more focus on individual matchups, but how significant is that? After all, the American Hockey League’s Calder Cup Final has mirrored their big brother, with all three games played to date won by the home team.

“I don’t know, that’s anybody’s guess,” Sullivan said. “That’s anybody’s guess. I think both goalies have performed well and helped their teams win in their respective home buildings.

“Our focus really is more concerned about just that one game in front of us, and I know that — I know that our guys understand the importance of that short-term focus, just staying in the moment, and I think it’s arguably the most important for the goaltending position because of the importance of that position, and so that’s where our focus needs to be. I know that Matt (Murray) is excited to play tonight, and he certainly has had success here at home, and we’re hoping that we have our best game in front of him.”